Greening Your Holiday

With Green Tourism Week recently ending, it is a great time to talk about green travel and ways to green your holiday. Reducing your carbon footprint while traveling takes planning and research. Traveling, whether for a holiday or for business gives you an opportunity to explore new surroundings and learn about a new culture. But, it has its costs. Traveling gives off an enormous amount of carbon emissions. There are several ways to reduce your carbon footprint when you are traveling around the globe and most of which will save you money as well. Sustainability in travel has become a competitive advantage for many companies and it is easier than ever to get on the web and do a little research before you plan your next vacation.

Traveling green does not mean that you can’t travel more than 5 miles from your house, and it isn’t necessarily about how you get there… it is about creating an unforgettable trip that will impact the environment as little as possible. Start by choosing the best method of traveling to your destination. Flying is usually the most direct and fastest way to get from point A to point B, however, it does increase your carbon footprint the most. To reduce your footprint, get the most direct flight. Taking off and landing has the biggest environmental impact on a flight. You can also offset your emissions every time you fly, although this should be seen as a last resort after minimising the carbon impact of travel. Taking the train uses half the amount of energy or more that is used when you fly. A high-speed train like the EuroStar is the most efficient train to take. If you need to drive, rent a hybrid or biodiesel car if you can. Or at least use a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle that will use less fuel and emit less carbon emissions. Public transport is a great alternative to a taxi and is the least expensive way to get around a large city. In places like London, you also have a cycle scheme which is a fun way to get around town. Packing is the most daunting of tasks when traveling. The best tip here is to pack lightly. Packing too much requires more fuel, which will in turn produce more CO2 emissions. Pack multipurpose clothing that can be dressed up or down, bring reusable items like an aluminum water bottle, reusable batteries (don’t forget the charger!), and a reusable shopping bag. Try to take as few nonessential items with as possible. You will learn that you can travel without all those extras.

When finally at your destination you can make simple choices that will make a lasting impact. Choose a locally owned and operated hotel or bed and breakfast (we once stayed in the Good Hotel in San Francisco which was pretty cool). If this is not a viable option simply ask about opting out of fresh towels and linens everyday. This saves water and energy. Support local business, attractions, and transportation companies that have environmentally friendly practices. And instead of hotels and other commercial options, take a look at the growing collaborative consumption movement – share a car, or do some couch surfing and meet new friends!